The standard Man Overboard procedures taught in sailing schools are designed for yachts, and assume a crew of at least two aboard a boat with an engine. For the single-handed dinghy sailor, or even a crew of two in a small open boat, these procedures need considerable adaptation.

The first and most obvious point is that in a dinghy, falling overboard often means the whole crew going over together - usually as a result of a capsize. In this case, the priority is to stay with the boat and right it, not to mount a rescue operation. The standard advice - never leave the boat - applies with even greater force in a dinghy than in a yacht.

But what if one crew member does go over while the other remains aboard? This can happen when moving forward to adjust the jib, or when leaning out to counterbalance the boat in a gust. The first priority is to get the boat under control - let the sails fly, and bear away to reduce speed. Then turn back towards the person in the water.

The classic yacht approach of sailing a figure-of-eight pattern to return to the casualty is rarely practical in a dinghy. The distances are smaller, the boat responds more quickly to helm movements, and there is no room for error. A more direct approach - simply turning the boat and sailing back - is usually more effective.

Getting the person back into the boat presents its own challenges. A dinghy has lower freeboard than a yacht, which should make recovery easier, but also has much less stability - pulling someone over the side may capsize the boat. The best approach is usually to bring the person alongside at the stern, where their weight can be counterbalanced, and have them climb in over the transom.

Prevention, of course, is better than cure. Staying low in the boat, holding on when moving about, and wearing a lifejacket at all times are basic precautions. Some single-handed cruisers attach themselves to the boat with a line, ensuring that a fall overboard does not mean separation from their only means of survival.